Detail introduction for MTP and MPO Fiber Optic Connector?

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MTP
stands for Multifiber Termination Push-on/Pull-off. You can use the term MTP
connector or MPO connector, they both indicate the same multi fiber connector
style – MTP is just the trademark registered name that USConec uses for their
MPO connectors. You typically see these types of connectors in the data center
world, as they are commonly utilized for high density, high speed, and space
saving applications. Take into consideration that you are housing multiple fibers
within one single connector instead of using twelve connectors for twelve
fibers. These connectors enable the fastest connection speeds and provide
reliability to the user. Most MTP/MPO patch cords are manufactured in a cable
assembly house and polished for optimal performance, making this an easy plug
and play solution for consumers.

 

These
connectors come standard in 8, 12, 16, 24, or 32 fiber offerings, with both
Singlemode and Multimode fiber options available. Multimode MTP/MPO ferrules
are typically ultra-polished and singlemode ferrules are angle polished. MTP/MPO
connectors must comply with quality standards laid out in the IEC
(International Electrotechnical Commission) and TIA (Telecommunications
Industry Association), this means that all the connector brands must have
standard features so different manufacturers’ connectors and adapters can be
utilized interchangeably. These standard features include the size and
dimensions of the connector, the pinholes, and other physical features, as well
as color coding of the connector housings to simplify fiber type
identification.

 

These
connectors allow for the ability to utilize fast connection speeds, and superior
reliability in applications that need multiple fiber connections and have
limited installation space.

 

MTP/MPO
connectors are composed of a ferrule and a connector housing. Housing kits come
in a variety of colors which aid in the identification of the mode of the fiber
and the quality of the ferrule, in the case of multimode connectors you will
see beige, black, aqua, magenta or lime green housings and single mode housings
are typically green or yellow.

 

MTP/MPO’s
come in both single mode and multimode styles; there are differences in
multimode and single mode MTP/MPO’s. For a single mode MTP/MPO, it is always an
APC (angled physical contact) polish while in multimode applications it is
generally an ultra physical polish (UPC).

 

MTP/MPO
connectors are gaining popularity in the fiber world because they allow for the
ability to utilize fast connection speeds, and superior reliability in
applications that need multiple fiber connections and have limited installation
space. Cable Options for the MTP/MPO Connectors

 

Ribbon
Cable

 

Most
commonly MTP/MPO connectors are terminated on 12 or 24 fiber ribbon fiber optic
cable because ribbon cable already comes in a multi-fiber array. Ribbonized
fiber is most commonly constructed of 12 color coded bare fibers held together
in a flat form by glue or adhesive called a matrix. MTP/MPO connectors are the
ideal choice for this cable construction. Ribbon cable also assures the fiber
lengths are equal, delivering high speed data requirements with minimum error
rates. The MTP/MPO connector can be terminated easily on this cable style, and
ribbon is usually compact in size compared to other fiber cable constructions,
making this a space saving solution.

 

Micro
Distribution

 

Micro
Distribution Cable is also an option for building MTP/MPO cables as they are a
small, compact cable solution that can house high fiber counts. This cable,
like ribbon cable, allows for runs in small ducts, panels, and other tight
spaces.

 

Polarity
Types

 

There
are three main polarity types when referring to MTP/MPO’s there is Polarity A,
Polarity B, and Polarity C, and also an 8 fiber option. If you are building a
custom MTP patch cable you may have the option for custom configured polarities
but in reality, the most common types of polarity are the 3 options listed
above. Polarity refers to the configuration of the fibers within the
connectors, each of these fibers corresponds to a transmit and receive fiber
connecting your equipment, and if these fiber links do not match, your
connection will not work properly.

 

Polarity
is one of the most important factors when deploying an MTP patch cord; you must
know what configuration is being utilized in the system in order to properly
mate to the equipment. The adapters for the MTP’s will also need to correspond
to the polarity of the MTP that will be mating with the adapter, all the
polarities must be the same within a system.

 

Polarity
A

 

Polarity
A is also referred to as key up – key down polarity or Straight Through
Polarity, this means that the fibers are configured with Fiber 1-Fiber 1, Fiber
2-Fiber 2, Fiber 3-Fiber 3, and Fiber 4-Fiber 4 and so on. Each 1 fiber must
match the other 1 fiber in the configuration.

 

Polarity
B

 

Polarity
B is key up to key up configuration. In this polarity Fiber 1 is matched to Fiber
12, and Fiber 2 is matched to Fiber 11 and so on. This is also referred to as
Reversed Polarity.

 

Polarity
C

 

Polarity
Type C is also key up to key down, but instead of the fibers going Fiber
1-Fiber 1 such as in Type A polarity, instead Fiber 1 will be matched with
Fiber 2, and Fiber 3 will be matched with Fiber 4, and Fiber 5 will be matched
with Fiber 6 and so on down the configuration. This polarity is also called
Flipped Pairs Polarity.

 

12
Fiber MTP/MPO 40 Gig SR4 Pinout

 

An
8 fiber pinout is used for 40 Gig applications, in this configuration, only 8
of the fibers are lit up, 10G per lane (fiber) bi-directional multiplied by 8
fibers equals 40G bi-directionally, with 4 remaining unused within the
connector. Commonly this configuration is Fiber 1-Fiber 12, Fiber 2-Fiber 11,
Fiber 3-Fiber 10, and Fiber 4-Fiber 9 with Fibers 5, 6, 7 and 8 being dark.

 

MTP/MPO
Adapters/Mating Sleeves

 

MTP/MPO
adapters or mating sleeves must also be selected according to the polarity
method of the system they are being installed in. So for Polarity A and C, you
will need a key up to key down adapter or mating sleeve and for Polarity B you
will need a key up to key up mating sleeve. It should also be known that you
cannot mate two connectors of the same gender, so you cannot mate two male MPO
connectors or two female connectors. Connectors are aligned within the mating
sleeve by the guide pins of the male connector. You will choose the correct
mating sleeve according to the system’s polarity.

 

MTP/MPO
Gender

 

MTP’s
come in two different genders – Male and Female. The female MTP connector does
not have any pins and the male connectors have two stainless steel guide pins
within the connector housing. Each connector will align with a specific adapter
depending on if the connector has pins or no pins and whether or not the
polarity is a key up to key up type or key up to key down type.

 

Recently
we have seen gender and polarity changeable MTP connectors. With a small tool,
you can open the housing and remove the pins if necessary based on the needs of
the installation. These types of connectors are especially valuable in the
field because you do not need to send the connectors or the patch cord back to
the manufacturer to have the gender changed.

 

MTP
connectors are becoming more popular as bandwidth and space are at a premium in
data center solutions and other applications, and the notion of why we would
use twelve connectors when you can use one single connector. MTP/MPO cords are
an easy plug and play solution for any fiber technician to use.